Samir Nasri in Arsenal squad to face Liverpool

19 August 2011 02:31

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger would have no problem picking contract rebel Samir Nasri against Liverpool on Saturday and urged Gunners fans not to jeer the France international.

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini today remained hopeful a deal to sign the midfielder could be tied up 'very quickly', with discussions between the two clubs believed to have been going on for some time.

All smiles: Arsene Wenger has no concerns about calling on Samir Nasri against Liverpool

However, Wenger maintains while the 24-year-old - who has yet to sign a new deal and could leave for nothingnext summer - is still an Arsenal player, there is no reason to leave him out now he is fully fit after a bout of illness.

Nasri, though, could be in for a hostile reception from some sections of the home support, with the midfielder using his Twitter account to hit out at the 'disrespectful' chants during last weekend's game at Newcastle.

Nevertheless, Wenger - who this week saw captain Cesc Fabregas sold to Barcelona - told a news conference: 'One thing I don't question is the commitment of Samir Nasri to this club.

Jumping for joy: Fabregas was sold to Barcelona a the beginning of the week

'Every day since he has arrived here, every day in pre-season, he has worked with a fantastic spirit in training.'

Wenger added: 'The fans will want Arsenal to play well and win the game. They do not make an individual case of each player in each position.

Staying put? Nasri has been linked with a move to City

'They want good players and to win the football game.'

Wenger maintains the views of a minority of hard-core supporters grabbing headlines should not be taken as the general stance from the stands.

'You have to be careful,' the Arsenalmanager continued. 'We live in a modern democracy where everybody has aright to have their opinion, but it does not mean always that a few opinions represent the majority.

'The unfortunate thing is that the extreme opinions get more media attention than people who have normal common sense and intelligence.

'Because a few people have a bad opinion of one person, it does not necessarily represent the majority of our fans.

'The majority of our fans are behind our players and I think they will show that tomorrow.

'They were hyperactive in the market,' Wenger said. 'They bought many players. You can basically say it started in January - they have bought eight or nine players since so they fight very hard to come back to the top four, that shows you it is not easy as everybody thinks.'